So it’s been quite a while since my last blog. My apologies. The last few months have simply flashed before my eyes. I guess it’s true, time flies when you’re having fun.
September, as it turned out, proved to be quite busy. With the Denver Half Marathon a month away, running and working out became my only priority. Wake up, go to work, hit the gym/tackle an afternoon run, eat dinner, shower, and go to bed was basically the routine I followed for most of the month. I was very concerned with my fitness going to Denver. Mentally and physically I knew I could run 13.1 miles, I’ve done it twice, but I was very nervous about the change in altitude I would encounter. I had been forewarned about it so images of me running and passing out midway through the course kept creeping into my head. There I’d be at mile 6 or 7 running through downtown Denver and BAM I’d just stop because I couldn’t breathe anymore. I knew I would have to run at a slower pace, so I practiced running slow. I know sounds funny, but with all the adrenaline that rushes through your body on race day I had to practice. My training runs tended to last longer than usual, time wise, but I logged all the necessary miles and my body didn’t complain.
September wasn’t all about prepping for my big show down with the Mile High City. A solo trip to Vegas was in store for Labor Day weekend and I would be headed to Houston at the end of the month for a wedding celebration. Vegas was amazing. The majority of my extended family lives there, so the sole purpose of this trip was to spend quality time with my aunts and cousins. Mission accomplished. First thing I did in Vegas: attended poker night at my cousin’s house and took everyone’s money. As Lady Gaga would say, “a little gamblin’ is fun when you’re with me.” I also went hiking at Mt. Charleston, ran a 5K, took in a UNLV Rebels football game, and eventually found my way to the Strip and saw LOVE, the Cirque du Soleil show featuring music by the Beatles. The Strip never disappoints. My journey home was memorable to say the least. Vegas never disappoints. My family is too much fun and my godmother was a fabulous host.
Houston was a simple weekend getaway. I traded in the running gear for some formal wear and attended the wedding of my very good friends Claire and Riley. Nothing like catching up with old friends, making new ones and dancing the night away. Non-stop laughter and awesome dance moves all night long. Congrats again you two.
October was all about Denver and surprisingly Halloween. I spent five unbelievable days in Colorado. My uncle lives in Highlands Ranch, a 30-minute drive from downtown Denver, and officially my new favorite place on Earth. I hit some balls at the golf range, journeyed through a corn maze, ate delicious food, drank excellent sangria, played with the coolest schnauzers in town, Buster and Ziggy, went to a Broncos game and got some much-needed R&R. And of course I ran my third half marathon with one of my favorite persons-Kara, love you lots! All my fears and anxiety about running in higher altitude were put to rest after a few trial runs. As it turns out, running at a slower pace isn’t so bad. I enjoyed the experience a lot more. There were no pre-race jitters; been there done that. There was no set goal; I’m content with my personal best for now. I ran free. I took in the sights and noticed the people cheering through the streets. I was pretty tired by mile 10 but hey sea level is for sissies.
After Denver, the laziness began and the Halloween spirit hit. I took some time off to rest and planned for the most epic candy day ever. Ok, it wasn’t that epic, but I met Spiderman, hung out with Alice in Wonderland and paid homage to the best video game ever. Pretty epic if you ask me.
